Children under attack
Every day, children living in wars across the globe are facing unspeakable horrors. They are not safe sleeping in their homes or playing outside, learning in school or seeking medical care at hospitals. From killing and maiming, abduction and sexual violence, to attacks on education and health facilities, and the denial of the humanitarian assistance that they desperately need, children are being caught in the crosshairs of warring parties at a staggering scale.
Alarming data
The UN Secretary-General Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict highlights that in 2022 alone:
- Over 8,630 children were killed or maimed
A 5% increase compared to 2021. The use of explosive ordnance, including explosive remnants of war, improvised explosive devices and landmines, was responsible for over 25% of the killing and maiming of children. - 7,622 children were recruited or used
85% of children recruited and used were boys. Factors such as sex, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, geopolitical location, and economic status primarily determine a child’s risk of recruitment, how they are exploited, and the violations they experience - 3,985 children were abducted
The situations with the highest number of child abductions occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, and Mozambique. - 1,166 children were victims of sexual violence
Sexual violence in conflict is the most underreported grave violation for both girls and boys due to stigma and lack of legal protection. 99% of sexual violence was perpetrated against girls, who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence and forced marriage. Boys are also victims of sexual violence or experience secondary trauma from becoming forced witnesses of sexual violence against family members. - 3,931 incidents of denial of humanitarian access
The most affected situations are in Israel and the State of Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, Mali, and Burkina Faso. - 1,846 incidents in schools and hospitals
With 1,846 incidents verified, the number of attacks on schools and hospitals showed the sharpest increase of all grave violations with over 110%. A significant rise (60%) in the use of schools and hospitals for military purposes by both armed forces and armed groups has been confirmed.
Source: Summary of the Secretary-General’s Children and Armed conflict Report published 2023
Ending and preventing grave violations against children is central to the mandate on children and armed conflict. The most effective way to protect children from hostilities is to eliminate the push and pull factors that lead to their involvement in armed conflict.
Poems for Peace
Aisha, Nigeria: “In this world filled with chaos and strife, let’s come together and change our lives with love and kindness as our guide”. Watch Aisha's inspiring poem from her home in conflict-affected northern Nigeria.
With Poems for Peace, UNICEF is giving children a platform to explain in their own words the impact of conflict and war on their lives – and their hopes and dreams for the future.
Photo exhibit: From Despair to Hope; Children Beyond Armed Conflict
Weam, 16, Gaza: Weam was injured whilst walking past her house. She, her father and her three cousins were targeted by an anti-personnel drone rocket, which exploded into thousands of small metallic cubes. “I just couldn’t accept the fact that I had lost my limb, it was very difficult for me.”
In times of conflict, UNICEF stays, delivers and does everything in its power to advocate for the protection, safety and rights of all children.
How To Look After a Child Through Conflict & Displacement
Protecting the Rights of Children on the Move in Times of Crisis – Solutions
Dr. Graça Machel reflects on the Children and armed Conflict Agenda 25 years on
"Children are children, first of all. As adults, it is our duty to protect them, and to create a better, more peaceful world where every one of their rights is protected and fulfilled. Anything less is unacceptable."
In July 2022, on the occasion of the launch of UNICEF’s report “25 years of CAAC: Taking Action to Protect Children in War”, Dr. Graça Machel reflected on the progress made by the international community to better understand how wars impact children. She called for action to assist affected children in a manner tailored to their needs, and to hold accountable the warring parties that are violating their rights.
